Here’s a thought…
“P H E W !!”
THE WORLD
Considering crossing a state line for vaccine?
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Given the limited supply of vaccine that is available at this time and our state’s commitment to equitable and fair access to vaccine, the state of Washington is requiring that those seeking COVID-19 vaccines in its four mass vaccination sites (Ridgefield, Spokane, Kennewick, and
Island Hospital has some new free classes on offer
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| FREE MEDICARE CLASS Learn more about your Medicare options at a free class on Monday, February 8, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Traditional coverage, supplements, advantage plans, prescription drug coverage, enrollment information and Medicare fraud protection will be covered. This is an
Dr. Alperin announces his plan to not pursue employment with Island Hospital
||| FROM MICHAEL D. ALPERIN, MD, MBA, MSS ||| I am writing to let the Orcas Island community know that I will not be pursuing employment with Island Hospital as they transition to the management of the clinic. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with community members over the past three
Orcas Fire welcomes two new familiar faces
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS FIRE AND RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire and Rescue family recently welcomed two new hires, Lieutenant LaRen Gevaart-Rossie and Captain Kasey Jo Weigley. Both have served the department in various roles over the last few years. Rossie, a volunteer firefighter/EMT, also served as a
EDC launches survey to assess business impacts from COVID-19
||| FROM GAIL SCHNEE for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) has created a survey to assess existing and potential negative economic impacts from recent events. Responses to the survey are confidential and will be anonymized, aggregated and used to determine programs and resources
Recap of new statewide COVID-19 response updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 290,168 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on January 25. There have been 4,167 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and the
County Council hears from oil response team
||| BY STEVE BERNHEIM, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Most of the San Juan County Council meeting of January 26, 2021 was devoted to a presentation from the staff associated with the Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA), a non-profit, community oil spill response organization that provides local oil spill response and prevention
Inslee updates COVID-19 proclamation related to long-term care
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today updated the guidance documents in Proclamation 20-66 for long-term care facilities. Modifications include updated and additional resources; standardized community case rates related to moving between COVID phases; and enhanced guidance regarding compassionate care visitation, essential support persons visitation and
State ferries to host February virtual community meetings
Topics include hybrid-electric vessels, service and COVID-19 response ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| SEATTLE – Riders, commuters and terminal neighbors of Washington State Ferries are invited to attend upcoming virtual community meetings designed to provide updates and answer questions about the ferry system. At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9,
Inslee statement on Biden climate plan
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement today following a series of executive actions on climate change taken by President Joe Biden Wednesday. "I applaud President Biden’s executive actions today that will once again place the United States at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis
A South Carolina town that grew too fast now wants to stop growth
||| FROM WALL STREET JOURNAL ||| LAKE WYLIE, S.C.—This lakefront suburb of Charlotte, N.C., is among the Sunbelt’s strongest magnets for young families. Since 2000, Lake Wylie has tripled in population to 12,000 on the strength of its good schools, low taxes and proximity to Charlotte’s jobs in the financial
State Department of Health welcomes new leader of public-private vaccination effort
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced the appointment of Mr. Dan Laster as Director of the COVID-19 Vaccine Action Command and Coordination System (VACCS) Center to create public-private partnerships. In this role, Mr. Laster will tap into the unique capabilities
Salmonella outbreak prompts removal of backyard bird feeders in B.C.
||| FROM VANCOUVER SUN ||| A salmonella outbreak in the B.C. avian population has prompted the B.C. SPCA to ask the public to temporarily remove backyard bird feeders. The B.C. SPCA is asking the public to temporarily remove backyard bird feeders in order to stop the spread of a
Alex Ramel: Advancing a recovery plan for Washington, a bold new transportation package, and a vaccine update
||| FROM REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| Last week saw a transition of power in our federal government, a step toward stability and democracy and away from corruption and chaos. I was in a meeting about ending unnecessary fossil fuel tax subsidies at the fateful moment that our new president was
All In Washington match grant to Community Foundation has been approved
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation has received word from the Seattle Foundation that donations to the Community Emergency Response Fund received from July 8 through December 31, 2020 will be fully matched, bringing an additional $630,000 to Orcas for covid
Friends of the Orcas Library are starting their annual membership drive
||| FROM DAVE KOSIUR for FRIENDS OF ORCAS LIBRARY ||| Despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orcas Island Library has managed to provide both book loans and various other programs to the community this past year and will surely continue to do so in the future. The Friends
